THE CIVIL WAR DIARY OF JOHN G. MORRISON 1861-1865

and self-denial. Heard when I came on board that we had
orders to proceed to Cairo as soon as we could get our steam
pipes repaired. Wrote a long letter to my friend Tom
Gillespie. Cooking again, as our cook was sick. Turned in
at 8 bells.
Monday, July 21st. Anniversary of the battle of "Bull Run."
Previous to that "faux pas," not many imagined that the war
would last a year and not finished yet. Went alongside the
coal barge to coal up for our journey. Thirty contrabrands
were sent to coal her and help work her to Cairo. Was sent
with the first cutter for four day's ice. Got it and a drink
when I returned. Was placed in charge of some of the
contrabrands to see that they worked and to remain until the
job was finished. Heard that the two fleets were to attack
the city conjointly at 2 1/2 A.M. on Tuesday morning and
capture the Arkansas, if possible.
Tuesday, July 22nd. The coaling was not finished until 3 1/2
A.M. I got my grog and turned in for a short nap. Heard our
flotilla getting under weigh but no firing as yet. Was
awakened about 6 A.M. by cheering on board the boat for the
ram "Queen of the West" for the way she behaved in twice
[124] butting the Arkansas, but without effect. I have
learned that our flotilla made an attack on the city at 4 1/2
A.M. but that Farragut's fleet somehow did not join them.
The Essex, it is said, fired two broadsides into the ram but
it is thought without effect. In the forenoon, I brought the
captain on board from the hospital boat. The first cutter
also brought whatever of our sick were able to stand the
journey to Cairo. Twenty-five of the contrabrands were kept
on board, the remainder being sent back to their quarters
about 2 P.M. We got under weigh and left, as our signal
quartermaster got left behind. The first master detailed me
to act in is place until we got to Cairo.
Wednesday, July 23rd. Came on deck at 4 1/2 A.M. Found that
we had picked up another contrabrand. Both banks of the
river lined with deserted dwellings, not a human to [be]
seen. Everything desolate, looking as if all hands were
dead. About 7 P.M., a man in a skiff came alongside and
hailed us. Picked him up and found that he was the pilot of
the transport "Sallie Wood" (which left Vicksburg on Sunday
with our mail). She had been fired onto by rebels at Island
82 and sunk. She had some passengers on her, both men,
weoman and children. When she was sinking, all managed to
excape and took to the woods. he (the pilot) got a skiff and
some of his luggage and started downstream for the fleet. He
lay still daytimes and went on his way at night. He was
first starting out when we came across him. Came to anchor
until 1 A.M. as we were in the neighborhood of where this
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